the Sacraments do not become effectual c. as 1 not from any virtue in themselves for as the word is a dead letter of it self so the Sacraments are dead signs for can it be imagin'd in reason that the soul which must live for ever can be feasted fed and nourished to eternal life by a morsel of bread and a sup of wine perishing elements or that the spiritual defilement of the soul can be wash'd off by a few drops of water sprinkled upon the face 2 Not from any virtue in the Minister as neither 1 his piety because this can be no meritorious or procuring cause of a blessing in the Minister 2 nor his good intention for then the blessing would not only depend upon the power but also upon the will of man but the efficacy of Sacraments depends 2 dly affirmatively 1 st Upon Christs blessing grounded on his own institution and appointment for he will not be wanting to his own Ordinances 2 dly Upon the working of the Spirit or his application of them to the soul in a spiritual manner and thereby bringing to the mind of the receiver 1 the Author of Sacraments Christ 2 the impulsive cause his love 3 by representing and sealing the righteousness of Christ to the soul 4 by objective excitation of suitable affections as love gratitude 3 dly Their efficacy doth depend on the receivers faith not as a meritorious cause but as a necessary condition without which Christ will not bless them A. 92. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted of Christ wherein by sensible signs Christ and the benefits of the new Covenant are represented sealed and applied to believers Expl. 92. In the general all sound Divines do agree that a Sacrament hath these two parts 1 an outward sign such as are the objects of sense and especially of seeing for though bread and wine be objected or presented to the taste as well as to the eye and water to the touch yet the representation or the resemblance of Christs body broken and his blood shed is in seeing the bread broken and the wine poured out and the spiritual washing of the soul represented to the eye of faith by that washing of the filth of the flesh which is visibly done before the eye of the body 2 Invisible grace for the internal application of Christs benefits to the soul being of a spiritual nature cannot be seen by the eye of the body yet more particularly in this A. we have the nature and quality of a Sacrament 't is a holy Ordinance 1 it has holiness to the Lord stampt upon it and so is spiritual in its nature 2 It is instituted by Christ the holy one it is not his Holiness at Rome or rather that man of sin that can institute a Sacrament though he hath taken the boldness to add five Sacraments to those two which Christ hath appointed The holiest man upon earth cannot appoint a Sacrament it is priviledg enough in man to celebrate it when it is instituted by God 3 It is a means for the promoting of sanctification and holiness for it is an obligation upon a Christian to holiness and though it be not a means to work conversion ordinarily at least yet it doth excite quicken and confirm grace 4 It is the seal of a holy Covenant wherein as by a Deed of free-gift all the benefits of Christs Redemption are made over and applyed to believers and wherein all the promises are Yea and Amen through Christ unto such 5 It is an Ordinance that in a most eminent manner is accompanied with the assistance influence and comforts of the Holy Ghost because at such a time the Spirit in a most remarkable manner is concerned to execute his office as the Spirit of Adoption witnessing together with the spirits of believing Receivers that they are the children of God And doth not all this holiness wherewith this Sacrament is attended require on the Communicants part a holy and solemn preparation A. 93. The Sacraments of the new Testament are Baptism and the Lords Supper Artic. XXV There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel i. e. Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Confirmation Pennance Orders Matrimony and extream Unction are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel To. 2. Hom. IX Sacraments instituted by our Saviour Christ to be received and continued of every true Christian in due time and order for such purpose as He willed them to be received as visible signs expresly commanded in the New Testament whereunto is annexed the promise of free forgiveness of our sins and of our holiness and joining in Christ there be but two namely Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Expl. 93. There are but these two not only as generally necessary but as only necessary to salvation for who was fitter to judg of the necessity or to appoint the number of Sacraments then he alone who had the sole power to appoint any Sacrament at all now 1 in the New Testament we find only these two of Christs appointment 2 These two are sufficient to the end to which they are appointed sc. to seal the Covenant of Grace 3 Though there were more extraordinary yet there were but two ordinary Sacraments under the Old Testament sc. Circumcision and the Passover 4 Only these two forementioned do correspond to these two of the Old Testament and so do not Pennance Matrimony Orders c. 5 Only these two are directed as to the manner of participation in the New Testament 6 Christs Ministers have only these two and no more in their Commission to administer and to celebrate as Sacraments sc. Baptism and the Lords Supper A. 94. Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our engagement to be the Lords Artic. XXVII It is a sign of regeneration or new birth whereby as by an instrument they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church the promises of forgiveness of sin of our adoption to be the Sons of God by the Holy Ghost are visibly signed and sealed Expl. 94. In this A. we have 1 the general notion of Baptism It is a Sacrament i. e. a seal of the righteousness of faith and so is every other Sacrament which is a seal of the Covenant of Grace whether under the legal or evangelical dispensation 2 We have here the description of Baptism and therein the difference of Baptism from the Lord's Supper 1 In the outward signs or elements in that water in this Bread and Wine and God having been so particular and distinct in appointing these we should be as strict and careful in the use of them not adding to them the corrupt inventions of men as the Papists do add
to Water Cream Salt Oyl and Spittle c. Nor diminishing from the other As they do when they deprive the people of the Cup. 2 They differ in their order for Baptism is the first Sacrament of the Gospel because it is to be administred when a Christian or the Infant of one or both believing Parents is solemnly to be admitted a member of Christ's visible Church but the Lord's Supper is to follow this 3 In frequency Baptism is to be administred but once because a man can be born but once spiritually as well as naturally and this Sacrament is a seal of this spiritual birth when the inward Baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied with the outward of Water which by the way being both inward and outward may be called the Doctrine of Baptisms but the Supper being to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul may and must be often because we often stand in need of it 4 In the form of administration Baptism being in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost because we are to be baptized into all the three persons in the Godhead but the Supper in these words take eat this is my body c. 5 In Baptism is sealed to us and represented our dying unto sin and living unto righteousness especially in those of years-that are baptized but in the other Sacrament Christ dying for our sin is represented and confirmed to us 6 Baptism doth seal us a title to all visible Church priviledges and ordinances of the Gospel and the Lord's Supper doth suppose this title both to these and all the benefits and advantages of the Covenant of Grace 7 In Baptism we solemnly engage to be the Lords and to be entirely his and in the Supper we renew this engagement and not only our renewal of our vow but our Baptismal vow should be frequently and seriously considered especially in a time of Temptation and Apostacy A. 95. Baptism is not to be administred to any out of the visible Church till they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him but the Infants of such as are members of the visible Church are to be baptized Engl. Artic. XXII The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ. Expl. 95. 'T is here observeable that Baptism is not to be administred 1 st to Infidels or unbelievers whilst such as Jews Turks and Pagans for those are not to be solemnly admitted into the visible Church who have no precedent right by virtue of the Covenant of Grace to such admission but 2 dly 'T is to be administred to these two sorts of persons 1 Those who have not yet been baptized and do make a credible profession of their faith in Christ and obedience to his Gospel which was required of converted Gentiles in order to their Baptism and will be of converted Jews when they are to be re-ingrafted into the true olive yet is this no plea for the practice of Anabaptists who defer the Baptism of their Children till they can make a profession of their faith where one or both the Parents is a visible member of the Church For 2 Infants of visible professors are to be look'd upon as members of the Church visible and there are to enjoy this Church priviledge else such Infants would be in a worse condition now than formerly A. 96. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherein by giving and receiving Bread and Wine according to Gods appointment his death is shewed forth and the worthy receivers are not after a corporal and carnal manner but by faith made partakers of his body and blood with all his benefits to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace Artic. XXVIII It is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christs death Insomuch that to such as rightly worthily and with faith receive the same the bread which we break is partaking of the body of Christ and likewise the Cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. Transubstantiation or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine in the Supper of the Lord cannot be prov'd by holy Writ but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament and hath given occasion to many superstitions Expl. 96. When 't is here said the Lord's Supper is a Sacrament we are to understand no more by a Sacrament then that 't is a seal of the righteousness of faith so that those persons who do run to the righteousness of works or or of the Law in order to justification they run out of the tenour of the Covenant of Grace in which only the righteousnâ—ss of faith is sealed to the believer More particularly in this great Gospel-ordinance of the N. T. We have 1 the Sacramental signs Bread and Wine not Bread only or Wine only but both hereby noting that we have in Christ whatever is needful whether for support or comfort to life everlasting 2 The thing outwardly represented by these two elements sc. Christ's body and blood by the Bread his body so that the Papists who stick so close to the letter might with as much shew of reason conclude that Christ's body was turned into Bread as that the Bread was turned into his body And by the Bread broken is signified his body being wounded and broken and by the Wine his blood and by the pouring forth of the Wine the shedding forth of his blood without which no remission 3 The Sacramental actions sc. giving and receiving whereby is noted not only that he gave himself for sinners but that he gives himself to believers and that as by the bodily hand they receive the Bread and Wine so by a hand of saith they receive and accept of Christ as he offereth himself in the Gospel 4 The spiritual signification of the whole sc. the righteousness of Christ and all the benefits of his Mediatory undertaking made over and sealed to them in the Covenant of Grace who do by faith apply these to themselves so that every worthy Communicant may say Christ dyed for me c. 5 The authoritative design of all this to this very end and purpose by Christ himself who alone can appoint Gospel Sacraments because he alone can bestow that Grace of which Sacraments are but the Conduit pipes 6 That worthy Receivers are partakers of Christ's body and blood not in a gross and corporal but in a spiritual manner for if the Bread were the real body or flesh of Christ which we eat in this Sacrament then it would be no Sacrament at all because the sign and thing signified would be really the same 7 The advantages hereof are the pardon of sin sealed assurance of God's love spiritual joy comfort refreshment nourishment and growth in Grace A. 97. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lords Supper that they examine themselves of
that so many of us as were baptized unto Iesus Christ were baptized into his death f Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so also we should walk in newness of life To whom is Baptism to be administred g Act. 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized h Gen. 17.7 And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee 10. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Act. 2.38 And Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39. For the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that an afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call What is the Lords Supper i Luk. 22.19 And he took Bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me 20. Likewise also the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you k 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ What is required in the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper l 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body m 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith n 1 Cor. 11.31 If we would judg our selves we should not be judged o 1 Cor. 11.18 When you come together in the Church I hear there be divisions among you 20. When ye come together therefore in one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper p 1 Cor. 5.8 Therefore let us keep the feast not with old leuen neither with the leven of malice and wickedness but with the unlevened bread of sincerity and truth q 1 Cor. 11.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. What is Prayer r Psal. 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him God is a refuge for us s Rom. 8.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God t Joh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you u Dan. 9.4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession w Phil. 4.6 Be careful in nothing but for every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God What Rule hath God given us for our Direction in Prayer x 1 Joh. 5.14 And this is the considence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us y Mat. 9.6 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name c. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us z Isa. 64.9 Be not wrath very sore O Lord neither remember iniquity for ever behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people a Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father b Luk. 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him c Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints What do we pray for in the first Petition d Psal. 67.1 God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us 2. That thy way may be known upon the earth and thy saving health among all Nations 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee e Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory for ever Amen What do we pray for in the second Petition f Psal. 68.1 Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him g Psal. 51.18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem h 2 Thes. 3.1 Finally Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved i Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus What do we pray for in the third Petition m Psal. 119.34 Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I will observe it with my whole heart 35. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein do I delight 36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies l Act. 21.14 And when he would not be perswaded we ceased saying The will of the Lord be done m Psal. 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his Angels which excel in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his Word 22. Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his Dominion Bless the Lord O my soul. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition n Prov. 30.8 Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me o Psal. 90.17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it What do we pray for in the fifth Petition p Psal. 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions q Mat. 6.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you What do we pray for in the sixth Petition r Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Psal. 19.13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me s Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me 12. Restore unto me joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us t Dan. 9.18 We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake O my God u 1 Chron. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine 13. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious Name w Rev. 22.20 Amen Even so come Lord Iesus